XBOX VGA to PC monitor quality

[Craigus]

I have recently hooked up my xbox to my PC monitor using the MS VGA cable. I'm not sure on the quality of my monitor, it's an HP purchased about 1 year to 18 months ago, Its LCD, but the picture isn't wonderful on the xbox, the text (especially in MW2) looks pixelated.

Basically, I just want to know if there is a way of getting better quality out of it, or whether I would need a new PC monitor? I know it is difficult to say because I don't know exactly what monitor I have, but it isn't a BAD one.

Can anyone recommend a good one if this is the case?

 

[Cookie]

What's the native resolution of the monitor?

 

[Craigus]

Uuuuh, do you mean for example 1280 x 1024? If so, I think it is 1440 x 900.

Basically, if you look on youtube, you can watch some gameplay stuff on there full screen at 720p and it looks better than what I get when I'm playing. Could it be that the monitor isn't HD?

 

[Rhino172]

might sound obvious but I assume you've tried setting different resolutions on the xbox it self? display settings under system settings I belive.

 

[Craigus]

I think it is an HP w2007?

 

[Cookie]

Uuuuh, do you mean for example 1280 x 1024? If so, I think it is 1440 x 900.

Basically, if you look on youtube, you can watch some gameplay stuff on there full screen at 720p and it looks better than what I get when I'm playing. Could it be that the monitor isn't HD?

360 (as far as I can recall) only displays at 576p, 720p and 1080p

So your screen res is somewhere between the 2 HD res's, so explains the blurryness

 

[Craigus]

Okay, I think I get you, so what is the soultion?

And, I haven't checked the xbox's settings, lol. Didn't even think of that. Even on my TV the picture doesn't look that wonderful which always disappoints me. Maybe that is the problem.

 

[Craigus]

360 (as far as I can recall) only displays at 576p, 720p and 1080p

So your screen res is somewhere between the 2 HD res's, so explains the blurryness

So if I change my monitor resolution to 1024 x 720 will that work? It won't be widescreen obviously but . . .

What does the 720p and 1080p actually mean then? When your resolution is somewhere between the supported HD resolutions it will not be HD, correct?

 

[Rhino172]

set the monitor to 1024x720 then set the xbox to the same and you'll be sorted.

 

[Craigus]

Sweet, will try that later, thanks.

 

[wozzaa]

When the VGA connector is used it defaults to a low resolution. You need to go into setting and pick the closest one to your monitors native resolution.

You get a lot more options to pick from in terms of resolution through the VGA connector. So if you have not set it up then it will look rather s**te.

You want to be running 1280x720 minimum. Which is 720P. There should be higher options up to 1920x1080 though.

 

[Craigus]

Cool, that makes sense, I don't have a clue about HD stuff, I'm going to have to do some reading.

Thanks for the help chaps.

 

[wozzaa]

Just looked it up for you in the settings you want to set it to 1680 x 1050.

I believe that is one of the options available with the VGA cable. Been a while since I used mine.

 

[Craigus]

My monitor my not support that though?

 

[wozzaa]

That's what the native resolution of that monitor you said you had is.

 

[Craigus]

All sorted now, it looks so much better, can't believe the quality!